Gardening Author Clare Foster On Her Writing Process And Upcoming Projects
Contributions From CLARE FOSTER
Garden Editor for House & Gardens, Clare Foster has worked as a Writer for over 25 years. She has written several gardening books that have been met with critical acclaim from renowned gardeners such as Beth Chatto. Clare also writes her own blog and runs an online shop from her personal website, Bud to Seed.
Clare Foster is a Writer and Editor in the gardening industry who has published several books including ‘The Flower Garden’ and ‘Compost’ – which was met with praise from the late Beth Chatto.
Having been a Garden Writer for over 25 years, Clare is currently the Garden Editor at House & Gardens, having previously worked in the same position at Gardens Illustrated.
I spoke to Clare about the origins of her passion for gardening, how her writing is influenced by her gardening and what she envisions for the future of the industry.
Please note that all imagery in this article has been provided with permission courtesy of Eva Nemeth.
Where Did Your Interest In Plants And Gardening Begin?
“My parents always gardened, but I never showed much interest in it when I was a child,” shares Clare.
“When I was in my late 20s, I got a job at Gardens Illustrated as a Sub Editor. I had no horticultural or journalistic experience [at the time], so I was really thrown in at the deep end and found that I loved it.
My Editor, Rosie Atkins, was very supportive and could obviously see that I was interested in gardening and encouraged me to get an allotment. As soon as I started growing things, I was completely hooked!”
Can You Tell Us A Little About Your Career In Garden Writing So Far?
“I was at Gardens Illustrated for about 8 years in total, working my way up from Sub-Editor to Editor by the time I left in 2005,” she explains.
“I was absorbing horticultural knowledge the whole time by reading articles, talking to gardeners and designers, and gardening myself. Towards the end of my time at Gardens Illustrated, I had a baby – and then another one in quick succession!
“I thought I could do it all, but I found working full-time as [an] Editor and having tiny babies too much to handle. When the part-time, freelance Garden Editor job at House & Garden came up just before the end of my second maternity leave, I thought it was too good to be true.
“I was able to continue working as a Garden Writer and Journalist three days a week and still be there for my children. 18 years later, I am still at House & Garden!”
How Has Your Love Of Gardening And Writing Complemented One Another?
“I feel so lucky that I can combine gardening and writing in my career. I love both equally, and they really complement each other so well. Gardening is a physical, practical pursuit, while writing is mindful and sedentary.
“Strangely, I write best when I go backwards and forwards to it, so I will quite often punctuate a writing session at my desk with an hour or two out in the garden. It makes me return to the task refreshed. I garden better in short bursts too.”
You’ve Written Several Garden Books. Can You Tell Us About The Process Of Writing Them?
“I have written five or six books, including The Flower Garden,” says Clare.
“I enjoyed the process of writing that book enormously, as it was a collaboration with the photographer Sabina Ruber. We both trialled as many flowers from seed as we could and compared notes.
“Our book is the result of those trials. It is not an exhaustive encyclopedia of flowers that you can grow from seed but is our choice of the easiest and most worthwhile flowers to grow from seed.”
What Is The Most Rewarding Aspect Of Being A Garden Writer?
“Being able to carry on learning ad infinitum.”
Over Your Nearly 20-Year Career, What Have Been Some Of The Most Memorable Moments?
“There are so many memorable moments!” Clare shares.
“I will never forget photographing Piet Oudolf’s garden on a very rainy November day with the photographer Andrew Montgomery. It was very hard but we got some amazing photographs of all the seed heads and grasses appearing almost luminescent in the rain.
“I also remember going round to visit Lord Snowdon to personally pick up a set of photographs that he had taken for Gardens Illustrated.
“Another memorable time was when Gardens Illustrated sponsored a Chelsea Garden designed by Piet Oudolf and Arne Maynard – it won Gold and Best In Show and I remember their faces when we received the news.
“Having said that, I think the pinnacle of my garden career had to be when Beth Chatto included my Compost book in her top 10 garden books!”
Are There Any Upcoming Books Or Projects That You Are Currently Working On?
“I am working on a couple of new books; one for the hotel and estate Borgo Santo Pietro, and the other is another self-published book with photographer Andrew Montgomery, called ‘Pastoral Gardens’.”
How Do You Envision The Future Of Gardening And What Role Do You See Yourself Playing In It?
“The future of the planet and gardening is uncertain, and we have to adapt our gardening techniques and styles accordingly,” Clare states.
“The best we can do is be flexible in our attitudes, be open to different plants, ideas and aesthetics.
“I have been working on an ongoing series of interviews called Climate Crusaders in House & Garden. I have talked to the most fascinating people about how they are spearheading ways to counter climate change, from no-dig gardening to agro-forestry.
“I hope to be able to draw public attention to these amazing people who are valiantly fighting climate change in their own small ways – and hope that by raising awareness more people will follow suit.”
